Kaya-Iloilo commenced its 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two campaign on a disappointing note, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Thursday at the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima in Japan.
The three-time J1 League champions opened the scoring in the 37th minute with Douglas Vieira’s right-footed strike.
As the match progressed into the second half, Kaya-Iloilo struggled to contain Sanfrecce’s relentless attack.
Gonçalo Paciência doubled the home side’s advantage in the 54th minute, followed by Osamu Iyoha’s goal in the 64th minute, sealing all three points for Sanfrecce.
This commanding victory lifted Sanfrecce to second place in Group E with three points and a plus-3 goal difference.
Australia’s Sydney FC topped the group after a dominant 5-0 win at home against Hong Kong’s Eastern Sports Club.
Both teams will return to action on October 3.
Kaya-Iloilo will host Sydney FC at Rizal Memorial, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima will travel to Hong Kong to face Eastern Sports Club at Mong Kok Stadium.
Meanwhile, another Filipino club, Dynamic Herb Cebu, endured a heavy 0-6 defeat to K League 1 side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The South Korean club asserted their dominance early, with Jin Tae-Ho setting the tone in the 15th minute.
Kim Chang-Hun and Moon Seon-Min added two more goals before halftime, scoring in the 36th and 45+1 minutes, respectively.
The second half saw Jeonbuk extend their lead further.
Park Jae-Yong found the back of the net in the 49th minute, while Yu Je-Ho and Park Chae-Jun completed the rout with goals in the 74th and 77th minutes.
Dynamic Herb Cebu will aim to rebound in their next match on October 3 when they take on Malaysia’s Selangor at the Petaling Jaya Stadium.
